Texas Cop Shot, Saved by Vest: Suspect Killed Himself, Says Coroner

A Beaumont, Texas, police officer was shot in the back on Sunday after responding to a domestic disturbance call and was saved by his bulletproof vest. The coroner’s office said on Thursday, the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A one-page preliminary autopsy report released on Thursday says Aaron Scott Gibson died from a gunshot wound to the right side of his head, according to the Beaumont Enterprise. It classifies the manner of death as suicide.

Police in Beaumont responded to a domestic disturbance call late Sunday afternoon, according to Fox 4 in Beaumont. The officers confronted the man outside his home but he became agitated and ran back into the home.

Shortly after that, shots rang out from the house. Police later learned that the round were coming from a 9mm pistol. One of the Beaumont police officers was struck in the back. Fortunately, the bullet stuck his vest, Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary told the local news outlet. Other than bruising, the officer endured no injuries.

The officer’s vest also saved the suspect’s girlfriend, the chief said. She also stood directly in the line of fire.

The suspect barricaded himself in the home. The standoff lasted several hours. Beaumont police eventually entered the home after not being able to make contact for several hours and found the suspect dead.

Another Beaumont news outlet, 12NewsNow, identified the suspect as Aaron Scott Gibson, 40. At the time, police stated at the time that Gibson apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police discovered the body after they swarmed into the home.

Police Chief Singletary told reporters that the officer struck by Gibson’s shot sustained a large bruise and said he will probably be sore.

No information has been released about the cause of the disturbance or why Gibson opened fire on police. It was not revealed whether the suspect had any prior criminal history or if the police had any prior contact with him before the shooting.

Detectives continue the investigation at this time, the news outlets reported. A toxicology report has been ordered by the medical examiner.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and is a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.